Taylor Wilken | 4-H in the Panhandle

Summer 4-H Camp Registration is Open!

by Taylor Wilken | Mar 22, 2019

Summer camp…memories cherished and never forgotten. Camp fires, swimming, canoeing and kayaking, roughing it old-school in cabins and bunk beds, camp songs and skits around the fire, life-long memories and friendships…these are some of the experiences your child can have at 4-H Camp Timpoochee or 4-H Camp Cherry Lake this summer!

Time to Unplug

4-H summer camps are places for youth to unplug and get some fresh air while gaining valuable skills that last a lifetime. A core philosophy of 4-H camp is “letting kids be kids” by utilizing the learn-by-doing approach with a balance of routine and unstructured time within a nurturing environment where youth feel a sense of community and belonging.

Explore & Discover

Campers are encouraged to get out of their comfort zones to discover and explore their interests, talents, and values. Classes including creative dramatics, marine exploration, air rifle, mad science, and many other programs allows them to explore and excel. Campers gain confidence, empowerment, and resiliency through these new experiences. A sense of community and belonging grows from the traditional camp songs and dances they learn. New friendships are formed from the multi-county dynamic that the 4-H summer camp provides where youth meet kids from other counties and walks-of-life.

Who: Campers (8-13 years of age) & Counselors (14-18 years of age)

Where: Camp Timpoochee- 4750 Timpoochee Lane, Niceville, Florida 32578

Camp Cherry Lake- 3861 NE Cherry Lake Circle, Madison, Florida 32340

For more information, contact your local UF/IFAS Extension county office.

Youth in life jackets and snorkeling gear.

Youth volunteers, like our 4-H Camp counselors, are a great asset to the county 4-H program.

Sea of 4-H Green at the Florida State Capitol

by Taylor Wilken | Feb 1, 2019

Last year, 520 youth and 170 adults from 34 Florida counties told the 4-H story filling the state capitol with 4-H advocates. Youth educated their representatives, senators, and legislative aides on how 4-H has made an impact in their lives while experiencing the political processes of state government.

A sea of green will flood the Florida’s state capitol Thursday, April 4, 2019, as Florida 4-H members, faculty, volunteers, and families participate in the annual 4-H Day at the Capitol event.

2018 attendees on the steps of Florida’s historic capitol building.

4-H Day at the Capitol

Who: All 4-H Members, Friends, Family and Alumni
When: April 4, 2019
Where: Tallahassee, FL
Cost: $15 (includes lunch and a 4-H polo)
Registration: February 1-28, 2019 in 4-H Online

Schedule

7:30-8:15am – Check-in
8:30am – Opening Assembly
9:00am – Group Photo
9:15am – Meetings with Representatives and Senators begins
12:00-1:00pm – Lunch Available for Pick-up (Chik-Fil-A)
1:00-1:30pm – Closing Assembly

Each county is encouraged to make appointments with senators and representatives and should schedule their day how it best suits the group. For detailed information on the schedule and to prepare for the event, be sure to read the The 4-H Day at the Capitol Guidebook.

Places to Visit/Things to do

Close to the Capitol, you’ll find several things to do to fill in the rest of your day.

Governor’s Mansion
Knott House
Riley House and Museum
4-H Day at the Capitol Scavenger Hunt
Florida Historic Capitol Museum
Museum of Florida History
Big Bend Farm
For more information, check out Explore Tallahassee

Resources

For more information on 4-H Day at the Capitol or 4-H in your county, contact your local UF/IFAS County Extension Office.